Max Verstappen, the current championship leader in Formula 1, is facing an investigation for a possible breach of the virtual safety car rules during the sprint race at the Brazilian Grand Prix. Despite finishing third in the race, he only lost two points to his closest rival Lando Norris, who was helped by his teammate to secure the win.
The incident that led to the investigation occurred when the virtual safety car was deployed due to Nico Hulkenberg’s Haas stopping on the track. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner defended Verstappen’s driving, stating that he did not see any issues with it. However, the Dutch driver is already set to receive a five-place grid penalty for Sunday’s main race after changing his engine outside of the allowed limits.
Verstappen currently leads the championship by 45 points, but Red Bull is facing tough competition from McLaren and Ferrari. During the sprint race, he managed to move up to third place after starting in fourth, passing Charles Leclerc in the process. The McLarens strategically switched positions to support Norris’s title aspirations.
While the specific virtual safety car regulation that Verstappen may have violated is unclear, the rules state that no car should be driven unnecessarily slow or erratically during the VSC period. All competing cars are required to reduce speed and adhere to the minimum time set by the FIA ECU in each marshaling sector and at safety car lines.
The outcome of the investigation could have implications for Verstappen’s championship campaign, as any penalties incurred may affect his starting position for the Brazilian Grand Prix. Fans and experts will be eagerly awaiting the decision from the race stewards to see how this incident will impact the title fight in the closing stages of the season.